Train services in France and the UK have been affected by the force’s measures

Train services in France and the United Kingdom, Saturday, were affected by strikes carried out by unions in the sectors of the two countries to demand higher wages, which makes it difficult for commuters to travel for holidays with their families.

France
In the case of France, high-speed trains (TGV) that stopped leaving on Saturday, the second day of the SNCF conductors’ strike, increased compared to Friday’s trains.

However, an agreement between the company’s management and the unions halted the protest, which was scheduled for the following weekend, coinciding with the advent of the New Year.

After a third of the trains were canceled on Friday, there are expected to be no more on Saturday and Sunday 40% of the roads are cancelled.

At the French stations, commuters tried to reconcile respect for the right to strike with some annoyance with protest schedules.

“They’re on strike for a reason, I get it, but not while everyone else is on vacation. We’ve got enough pressure already.”Inga Skrypkina, 41, lamented at Lille Flanders station in the north of the country, according to a testimony given to AFP.

Due to inflation, auditors have requested a new salary increase that goes beyond the 12% increase already negotiated and will be implemented in the next two years, according to the SNCF.

France’s annual inflation rate is around 6%, which is lower than many other European countries.

United kingdom
Meanwhile, in the UK, Network Rail has offered the National Union of Maritime, Rail and Transport (RMT) a 5% wage increase this year, but it has been rejected because workers are demanding a 7% increase, given that inflation in the country exceeds 10%. annually.

In this context, those working in the sector decided not to work From 15 local timedespite the fact that Christmas Eve is traditionally one of the busiest days of the year.

This measure of force has been added to the British Border Police, which began on Friday Eight-day strike at six of the UK’s largest airportsin light of the demand for a salary increase and amid fears that the measure will lead to interruptions and congestion during the Christmas days.

Members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, who work for the Home Office, began a strike on Friday at London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports, joined by those in Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow and Manchester, as well as the port of Newhaven. , in the south of England.

The strength scale was determined after the rejection of A 2% salary increaseand a fifth of what the union requested (10%).

hit country b wave of social protests a scale not seen in decades.

However, the government is inflexible in the face of workers’ demands.

Mark Sirotka, general secretary of the Communist Party of Pakistan, warned There will be an “escalation” in strikes by officials in January If the government refuses to negotiate.

the Postal employees (Royal Mail) also joined the strike, causing delivery delays. Other strikes will also be held in the field of railway transport.

on Tuesday and Wednesday, health sector It was also hit hard by the strike of nurses and ambulance workers.